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24 March 2023
Issue: 8018 / Categories: Legal News , International justice , Sanctions , Rule of law
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NLJ this week: Oligarchs, confiscated assets & the future of Kyiv

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Could seized sanctions assets be used to fund the reconstruction of Ukraine? It’s a fascinating question. 

In this week’s NLJ, Maria Nizzero writes that ‘policymakers have expressed increased interest in freezing, seizing, but also repurposing the sanctioned assets, including those of the so-called “oligarchs”, for the benefit of Kyiv’.

Nizzero, a research fellow at RUSI’s Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, points out, however, there are ‘inherent limitations’ in this plan, before setting out some of the complexities, obstacles and potential routes around the obstacles.

She writes: ‘Choosing to prioritise the strengthening of the sanctions regime is not a Sophie’s choice for policymakers: bolstering the response to sanctions evasion now does not imply that permanent confiscation of other Russian sanctioned assets cannot be achieved.’ 

Read more on this subject here.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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